And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights,.... Which is to be connected with Deu 10:6 and relates what passed before he came down from the mount with the two tables; as that he stayed there as long as he did when he received the first tables, and fasted also as long as he did then; see Exo 34:28. and the Lord hearkened unto me at that time also; to his prayer on the behalf of the people: and the Lord would not destroy thee; though he had threatened it, and their sin had deserved it.